Projectile launching device

ABSTRACT

A golf ball launcher including a head installed on an elongate shaft. The head is a unitary cup that releasably captures a standard golf ball with a friction fit insertion. When the launcher is accelerated in an arc in the manner of a lacrosse throw, the ball is released with a slight deceleration or snap at the point of release and with backspin.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/573,898, filed Oct. 18, 2017 (Oct. 18, 2017), which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates most generally to outdoor field sports equipment, and more particularly to projectile launching equipment, and still more particularly golf ball launchers for playing an alternative golf game on a golf course.

Background Discussion

Golf is a wonderful game. Golf is a terrible game. Wonderful because it is played on some of the most beautiful artificial environments on the planet, places where one can enjoy the extreme solitude of playing alone in a park-like setting comprising hundreds of acres of perfectly manicured lawn, or where one can share the quiet camaraderie of chasing the ever-elusive good round, hopefully characterized by actual control of the distance, trajectory, shape, and behavior of the ball.

Golf is terrible because those glorious grounds are reserved for a very select and wealthy elite, and thus remain inaccessible to the vast majority of ordinary people, and it is mainly enjoyed by those who possess enough free time to become at least marginally competent at a maddeningly difficult skill. Further, the glorious grounds on which the game is played consume inconceivable amounts of water, even in times of drought, and to maintain their pristine appearance and playability, they also require large quantities of chemicals that act as fungicides and herbicides and pesticides, resulting in toxic runoff into rivers and streams and contamination of ground water. Golf is wonderful because it provides a respite from noise and the harried lives we live. Terrible because regular play (nearly takes much too much time (over four hours, setting aside travel time, warm-up, post round socializing etc.) for anyone meaningfully involved with family (making it more of a retirement game). Wonderful because when played at its highest levels it is expressed in a nearly perfect balance between extreme power and exquisitely fine control at the highest level of precision in kinesiological rankings for gross and fine motor skills. Terrible for the very same reason: the demands on power and control are so great, the margins for error so small and performance standards so high, that even when played purely recreationally, it is an inherently frustrating, deeply exasperating game.

It is likely this latter quality that gave rise to the quip that “golf is a good walk spoiled” (the attribution being hotly contested). Sadly, until recently, the solution to the problem that golf is a terribly difficult game was never particularly radical. Certainly, there have been endless efforts to enable ordinary athletes to play a game eventually resembling golf—endless instruction; warehouses full of teaching aids; a deluge of technical advances in golf club structure and design (such as precision tuned club shafts, lowered club head centers of gravity, and vastly expanded sweet spots). For the professional and skilled amateur—that is, those who already strike the ball well—such improvements elevate the game to a small but meaningful degree. Sadly, however, such admirable developments do not ensure that the player can make a repeatable and mechanically sound swing, and thus hardly prevent the contortions and convulsions that most purported golfers describe as their “golf swings.” Golf is, as noted, terribly difficult.

Also, as noted, golf is considerably elitist and exclusive, which is because it is staggeringly expensive. The average annual cost of membership in a private club in the United States is about $6,245, and the average cost for an 18-hole round of golf at a daily fee course ranges from $25 to $150 (or much more for select destination courses). That's after initiation fees, which range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars. Few occasional players want to (or are able to) pay that much for a mere recreation.

In consequence, golf is increasingly inaccessible and as an industry it is either in a downturn or on a steady decline. Dick's Sporting Good, a bellwether of sporting trends, is devoting less floor space and less marketing to the sport. Nike has stopped manufacturing golf equipment. Businessmen are opting for alternatives to doing business on the golf course. And the time-saving option of arcade-type driving ranges hasn't produced an uptick in actual play. Golf courses are more and more simply beautiful but empty parks. More than 800 golf courses have closed in the past decade. And society at large pays the price for the underutilized land.

Yet the solution to the problem that golf courses comprise 150-250 acres of natural beauty enjoyed by far too few but at the expense of many has also not been particularly radical: The solution? Well, none, other than zoning and tax laws that permit private golf courses to be owned and operated at tax rates comprising a fraction of the tax cost for owning and operating other, non-golf course parcels.

Management and/or ownership at some expensive and elite sport areas have devised clever multi-use solutions to diminishing interest in a sport. The most notable is in skiing, where snowboarding effectively saved the stale sport from a major decline, then itself became mainstream and began to suffer its own precipitous decline, which adversely affected the bottom line of the ski resorts. Add to that the impact of climate change shortening the seasons, and the ski industry has had it challenges in keeping the hills open. But the resort areas have learned that lifts used in the offseason to get downhill mountain bikers to exciting terrain just might provide the needed solution. Whatever its ultimate impact, it's a gesture in the right direction—opening up areas to more recreational use. Access. It is in that vein that throw golf addresses the “underutilized space” problem. And the present invention contributes to that and other dimensions of the truly meaningful solutions to the problems in golf.

For these reasons, the golf industry and golf courses would benefit significantly by including and allowing alternative sports to be played on the grounds. Throw golf represents the most natural fit, as it requires no modifications, additions, or changes of any kind to the course layout and contents. Except for diminishing exclusiveness, there is no downside. Throw golf is faster than golf (no one needs a practice swing and the relatively good accuracy cuts down on time spent searching for stray and lost balls). It does no damage to turf—i.e., throw golf launchers don't take divots. It's even more quiet than golf—not only are there no striking sounds from contact, but fewer stray shots means fewer stray expletives. In short, golf as a sport and golf courses would benefit from allowing and including throw golf in daily play.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a golf ball launcher head for a throw golf club to enable more people, including non-golfers, to make recreational use of golf courses. Throw golf (aka, “fling golf”) is only a few years old, yet it is attracting an increasingly large following. Throw golf might be characterized as a combination of golf and lacrosse, using a standard golf course as the field of play, a standard golf ball as the ball in play, but using a launcher to move the ball by hurling it rather than by striking it with one or another club. Courses need not be modified in any way to accommodate throw golf play. Indeed, throw golf players can blend right into other groups of golfers, not only as groups within themselves, but within groups of golfers for side-by-side play.

The present invention is an improved head for a throw golf launcher. It is installed on one end of an elongate shaft, such as a graphite, composite, or steel golf shaft, and includes a grip portion disposed on the other end of the shaft and sized for holding the launcher with one or, preferably, both hands. The grip may be sized accordingly. The shaft may be relatively short (as little as 36 inches, for instance), up to lengths exceeding 50 inches. Variations in length are intended to enable players of different ages, sizes, and abilities to play, not to provide club variations for any one player, as the game is played entirely with only one launcher. This, too, makes the game more accessible, insofar as it does not require an investment in an expensive set of clubs.

The launcher head is an engineered unitary “cup” or “receptacle” that positively but gently and releasably captures a standard golf ball with a friction (or “snap”) fit insertion. When the launcher is accelerated in an arc, such as in the manner of a lacrosse pass or shot, the ball is released with a slight deceleration or snap at the point of release. The technique is so intuitive and simple that even very young players and raw beginners can master it quickly—in a matter of minutes rather than years. With the reasonable price of a single launcher, no need for lessons, and the rapidity with which the game can be picked up, new players are ready to play their first day with launcher in hand.

The launcher is also designed to execute short shots, most notably “putting,” once the player's ball is on or near the green or close to the flag. Using the launcher, the player picks up the ball and then either rotates the launcher on its side (maintaining the ball in the launcher cup), such that the ball remains captured in the launcher. Then a short “flipping” motion of the launcher is employed to release the ball a short distance.

Another technique used when on the green or otherwise close enough to the flag to roll the ball accurately, is to use the launcher to capture the ball and to release it by elevating the toe of a leading foot, inverting the launcher such that that it is in a handle up/“head down” orientation, and then accelerating and tapping the launcher against the inside of that foot to dislodge the ball in a roll. This putting technique may be termed a “foot wedge.”

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, it is a principal object to provide an improved throw golf launcher head that enables increased control over ball throws.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved throw golf launcher that can be used for all shots required, including “putting.”

A further object or feature of the present invention is a new and improved throw golf launcher head that facilitate a perfect release of the ball at the point of maximum acceleration.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novel throw golf launcher head that enables shot shaping, including fades, draws, slices, and hooks.

The foregoing summary broadly sets out the more important features of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper front left perspective view showing the throw golf launcher head of the present invention, seen here attached to the shaft of a launcher (with the grip not shown) and with a golf ball shown immediately in front of the launcher head and poised for insertion or, alternatively, just having been thrown;

FIG. 2A is the same view showing more detail of the launcher head;

FIG. 2B is a lower left front perspective view showing detail of the launcher head, here shown with the head removed from the launcher shaft;

FIG. 3A is a front view in elevation showing a golf ball captured in the launcher head;

FIG. 3B is the same view with the golf ball removed;

FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear view in elevation thereof.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view in elevation as taken along section line 6 of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 6B is the same view showing the launcher head with a ball held by the head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6B, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved throw golf launcher head, generally denominated 10 herein.

In an embodiment, the throw golf launcher head of the present invention is installed on the end of a shaft 12, having a grip disposed on the lower end of the shaft (not shown in the views, but well known in the art). The head 10 includes a ferrule portion 14 having a cylindrical hole 16 for insertion of the upper end 18 of the shaft, a tapered shoulder 20 extending upwardly through a neck portion 22 of the head to a truncated (or cut) spherical cup portion 24, or mouth. The cuts in the spherical cup portion number three and include: (1) a truncated front 26, thus defining the principal front opening 28 for inserting and releasably capturing a ball B within a generally (partial) spherical interior volume 30 of the mouth 24; and (2) truncated (cut) right and left sides 32, 34, respectively, wherein the right and left truncations are in generally parallel planes. Collectively, the cuts define the partial spherical interior volume 30 into which a ball is releasably captured, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 6B. The side cuts provide side openings 36, 38 to provide side access for user fingers to insert or remove a ball from the mouth.

As will be appreciated, in the full and partial side views (FIGS. 1-2B, 4, and 6A-6B) the spherical cup portion describes a C when viewed from the left (FIGS. 1-2B, 6A-6B) and a reverse C when viewed from the right (FIG. 4). This C-shape design thus includes an upper jaw portion 40 which flares laterally at a terminal end into an upper lip 42, and a lower jaw portion 44 which flares laterally into a lower lip 46. The upper and lower lip portions angle slightly outwardly from the arc defining the C-shape so as to facilitate centering a ball in the opening 28. A tapered dorsal rib 48 provides added structural support that tolerates the repeated outward flexion of the upper jaw portion during ball capture and release. It will be noted that the material characteristics of the head as well as the dimensions of the jaw and side cuts provides for a degree of resilience in the upper jaw to enable the selective ball capture and release. A tapered ventral rib 50 on the throat portion 52 of the neck has the same purpose for the lower lip 46, which flexes nominally during capture and release.

The launcher head is preferably manufactured by injection molding using a thermoplastic material that enables a fully monolithic (entirely integral) construction, and thus no need of any assembly of separate parts. Material dimensions for all structural features are tailored to the strength and flexibility characteristics of the material so as to allow an optimal amount of flexion during performance, whereby a golf ball is easily placed into the receptacle, is retained without effort, no matter the attitude of the head, yet easily and readily releases upon execution of a proper launch technique. Specifically, the physical characteristics of the plastic molded material, the width 54 of the jaws 40, 44, the width 56 of the lips, the size (measured as a height) 58 of the front opening 28 (see FIG. 6A), which is less than the diameter of a standard U.S. golf ball, and the radius 60 of the spherical interior volume 30 as measured from its geometric center 62, cooperate to provide a capturing force tailored to an optimal release force that controls a captured golf ball before release, but which also allows the upper jaw to flex upon deceleration for an easy release of the ball. The deceleration required is minimal, but in practice the motion imparted to the device is a flicking kind of motion, with rapid overhead acceleration of the launcher followed by rapid deceleration.

The head is also designed to impart a backspin to the ball on release, much as that provided by the angled face of a golf club, when the launch arc is described on a generally vertical plane. This is caused by centrifugal force, which urges the captured ball against the upper jaw when the head is swung in an arc, and then by the ball as it engages the upper jaw leaving the front opening, wherein it last touches the upper jaw. Thus, it is effectively spun backwardly as it leaves the launcher head. Accordingly, those skilled in the game are able to impart side spins by launching the ball at varying angles, thereby mimicking fades, draws, hooks, and slices. The versatility of the launch is thereby dramatically enhanced.

Furthermore, the neck portion of the head includes right and left side recesses 64, 66, into which customized weights can be placed and secured (by using lead tape, for instance), thus enabling users to finely tune head weight to their personal preferences.

In this way there is provided a novel and improved throw golf launcher head that achieves all of the objects and advantages set forth above.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. A golf ball launcher head, comprising: an elongate shaft having a lower end and an upper end; a grip disposed on said lower end of said shaft; a launching head disposed on said upper end of said shaft, said launching head including coupling structure to connect said head to said shaft, a shoulder extending upwardly through a neck portion of said head to an open cup portion having a truncated front and truncated right and left sides defining a partial spherical interior volume with a front opening to releasably capture a golf ball.
 2. The golf ball launcher of claim 1, wherein said cup portion is spherical
 3. The golf ball launcher of claim 1, wherein said coupling structure comprises a ferrule with a cylindrical receiving hole for insertion of said upper end of said shaft.
 4. The golf ball launcher of claim 1, wherein said cup portion includes an upper jaw which flares laterally at a terminal end into an upper lip and a lower jaw which flares laterally into a lower lip.
 5. The golf ball launcher of claim 1, wherein said upper and lower lips each angle slightly outwardly at said opening of said truncated open front so as to facilitate centering a ball in said opening.
 6. The golf ball launcher of claim 1, further including a tapered dorsal rib extending downwardly from said upper jaw along said neck to provide structural support during outward flexion of said upper jaw portion during ball capture and release.
 7. The golf ball launcher of claim 6, further including a tapered ventral rib extending downwardly from said lower lip and along said neck to flex during capture and release.
 8. The golf ball launcher of claim 1, wherein the material from which said golf ball launcher is fabricated, the resilience of said upper jaw, the radius of said spherical interior volume, and the distance between said upper and lower lips, cooperate to provide a capturing force sufficient to retain a ball regardless of the attitude of the head, and a release force that controls a captured ball before release but which also allows a release of said ball with a deceleration of said head after an acceleration of said head.
 9. The golf ball launcher of claim 8, wherein said front opening has a height that is a distance between said upper and lower lips and is less than the diameter of a golf ball.
 10. The golf ball launcher of claim 1, wherein said launcher head imparts a backspin to a golf ball launched from said launcher head when said launcher is accelerated and decelerated on a generally vertical plane.
 11. The golf ball launcher of claim 1, wherein said neck portion includes right and left side recesses for placement of weights to adjust head weight to user preferences.
 12. A projectile launcher, comprising: a shaft; a grip disposed on a first end of said shaft; a launcher head disposed on a second end of said shaft, said launcher head defining a generally spherical interior volume sized to accommodate a golf ball with right and left side openings and a front opening to said interior spherical volume, said front opening having a height dimension less than that of the circumference of a golf ball.
 13. The projectile launcher of claim 12, wherein said front opening and said right and left side openings define an upper jaw and a lower jaw.
 14. The projectile launcher of claim 13, wherein said upper and lower jaws each flare outwardly toward said front opening.
 15. The projectile launcher of claim 13, wherein said upper jaw and said lower jaw each have lips angled outwardly toward said front opening.
 16. The projectile launcher of claim 12, wherein said upper jaw flexes.
 17. The projectile launcher of claim 16, wherein when a ball is releasably captured in said head and said head is accelerated in an arc and then decelerated, centrifugal force urges the ball against said upper jaw and toward said front opening so as to last touch said upper jaw when leaving said front opening, thereby causing said ball to spin.
 18. The projectile launcher of claim 12, wherein said upper jaw includes a reinforcing rib disposed on its outer surface.
 19. The projectile launcher of claim 12, wherein said head includes right and left recesses for adding weight with a heavy material.
 20. The projectile launcher of claim 12, wherein said shaft is between 36 inches and 50 inches in length. 